By Dan Brook Bob technically lived alone, but that was not at all how he felt about it. Besides Bob’s two pet rabbits, whom he called Donald and Watson, Bob had a thriving garden in his backyard in Sequim — which rhymes with Swim — a little blue hole of sunny Mediterranean microclimate in Washington … Continue reading The Birds and the Bees
The Barbeque with Obama and Justin
By Leslie Knibbs Ottawa, Canada. November 22, 2019 I don't usually barbeque at this time of the year...it's been below thirty for the last ten days in a row and the winds are coming out of the northeast slamming into the house at 60 km an hour. It's cold outside. And kind of drafty in the house. … Continue reading The Barbeque with Obama and Justin
Desert Wind
By Jim Bates Dave was grateful for the final emotional push as he clamored up and over the edge of Lizard Peak onto the top, a large flat area. "Thanks, man," he said to Lyle, his life companion for the last forty years. He was nearly out of breath."I needed that." Lyle was also his … Continue reading Desert Wind
The Forbidden Home of the Ancestors
By Marzia Rahman Of all the people in the world, I least expected my brother to knock at my door. That too in the early hours of dawn. Why do I like dawn so much? I often ask myself. Is it because of the serenity? Or the quietness? The world has yet to wake up; … Continue reading The Forbidden Home of the Ancestors
Snake-Cell Dreams
By Sandeep Kumar Mishra In his dreams, Rajan searches for the ghosts. He hunts for them, tracing their footsteps in the dirt. He is back in his hometown— he knows these roads. The moonlight shivers on his skin. The crooked streets rattle around him. His heart burns in his chest. Baba, mama. Where are you? … Continue reading Snake-Cell Dreams
The Emperor of 2nd Street
By Leo Hines 7:45 a.m. on Key South-Bay island meant tourists buses, motor-scooters and bikers were hogging the highways. The harbor was a ball of confusion with anxious tour groups meandering to their rental boats. Long crooked lines were at the Amusement park.The snow birds had arrived. Smiley Lehman, age 18, needed to hustle with … Continue reading The Emperor of 2nd Street
Imagine It
By Ciaran J. McLarnon The visits were moments of when Simon was given a precious glimpse of his future. From behind the shelves of tinned fruit and meat, the sacks of flour and rice, he watched the man enter his family’s grocery. Simon saw him as the man he wanted to be; his bowler hat, … Continue reading Imagine It
The Day of Judgment
By Archit Joshi In the desert city of Akhmenrah, peace was finally settling after a ferocious battle between King Gohäd and King Dahemòn. The battle had raged on for a decade, causing pitiable destruction of infrastructure and resources. That’s the thing about war. Willing or unwilling, each life is affected, be it a peasant’s or … Continue reading The Day of Judgment
Makeup
By Jegadeesh Kumar Vijayalakshmi alias Vj showered, dried her hair, brushed away the thought of having a ponytail and decided to keep a loose hair style. With larger earrings, it’d look graceful if the hair overflowed the ears. She scanned her image in the mirror. The hair was straight, shiny and bubbly. Yatra’s hair was … Continue reading Makeup
Arranged
By Rivka Shlesinger ‘Come out. You are going to meet him and you will like him.’ The bangs on the bathroom door increased. Jessica knew she’d have to open eventually, but for now she yelled, ‘No!’ The bangs stopped for a moment and she heard muffled voices. Her parents were out there discussing her future. … Continue reading Arranged
Academy of the Heart And Mind 